California BanCorp \ CA

September 30, 2026

NOTE 1 –BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

California BanCorp is a California corporation incorporated on October 2, 2019 and is registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as a bank holding company for California Bank of Commerce, N.A. under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. On May 15, 2020, the Company completed a reorganization whereby the Bank became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. California Bank of Commerce, N.A. began business operations in December 2001 under the name Ramona National Bank. The Bank changed its name to First Business Bank, N.A. in 2006, to Bank of Southern California, N.A. in 2010, and to California Bank of Commerce, N.A. on July 31, 2024. The Bank has a wholly owned subsidiary, BCAL OREO1, LLC, which was formed on February 14, 2024. BCAL OREO1, LLC is used for holding other real estate owned and other assets acquired by foreclosure. The Bank operates under a federal charter and its primary regulator is the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”). The words “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” refer to California BanCorp and California Bank of Commerce, N.A. collectively and on a consolidated basis. References herein to “California BanCorp,” or the “holding company” refer to California BanCorp on a stand-alone basis. References to the “Bank” refer to California Bank of Commerce, N.A.

As a relationship-focused community bank, the Bank offers a range of financial products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses through its 14 branch offices, including 12 commercial banking offices, serving California. On October 1, 2026, a new loan production office was opened in downtown San Francisco.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X and other SEC rules and regulations for reporting on the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are not included herein. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

In the opinion of management of the Company, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all of the adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations as of the dates and for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2026.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, including its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary, BCAL OREO1, LLC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and

expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change are the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations and related purchase price allocation, the valuation of acquired loans, the valuation of goodwill and separately identifiable intangible assets associated with mergers and acquisitions, and deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Operating Segments

We operateone reportable segment — commercial banking. The Company hasone reporting unit, one operating segment and, consequently, a single reportable segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is a role shared bythree executive officers, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, President of the Company and Bank, and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Chief Strategy Officer of the Bank. The Company’s CODM monitors revenue streams and other information regarding the products and services offered through the Company’s banking operations. The information provided to the CODM is presented on an aggregated single segment level basis, which is consistent with the accompanying consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The CODM evaluates the financial performance of the Company’s business by evaluating revenue streams, significant expenses, and comparing budgeted to actual results in assessing operating results and in allocating resources, with profitability only determined at a single segment level. The CODM uses revenue streams to evaluate product pricing and significant expenses to assess performance and evaluate return on assets. The CODM uses consolidated net income to benchmark the Company against its competitors. The benchmarking analysis, coupled with the monitoring of budgeted to actual results, is used in assessing performance and allocating resources. Loans, investments, and deposits provide the revenues from the Company's operations. Interest expense, provisions for credit losses, salaries and benefits, and occupancy expenses represent the significant expenses in the Company's operations. All of the Company's income and expenses are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. All of the Company’s operations are domestic. The Company’s assets are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as “total assets.”

Significant Accounting Policies

Our accounting and reporting policies are described in Note 1 —Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of our audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. There have been no significant changes to these accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2026, except as described below:

Transferable Tax Credits. The Company periodically purchases transferable federal tax credits from unrelated third parties and accounts for them under ASC 740, Income Taxes. Purchased credits are recorded at cost in accrued interest receivable and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The difference between the face amount of the credits and the purchase price is recognized as a reduction of income tax expense when the credits are utilized to reduce the Company’s tax liability.

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

On January 1, 2025, the Company adopted Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This standard requires, among other things, that a public entity that has a single reportable segment provide enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. Significant expense categories are derived from expenses that are (1) regularly reported to an entity’s CODM, and (2) included in a segment’s reported measure of profit or loss. The disclosures should include an amount for “other segment items,” reflecting the difference between (1) segment revenue less significant segment expenses, and (2) the reportable segment’s profit or loss measures. It requires that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and how the CODM uses the reported measure of profit or loss to assess segment performance and to allocate resources. Further it clarifies that entities with a single reportable segment must disclose both new and existing segment reporting requirements. The adoption of ASU 2023-07 did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2025, the Company adopted ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This standard addresses requests for improved income tax disclosures from investors, lenders, creditors and other allocators of capital that use the financial statements to make capital allocation decisions. This ASU is intended to improve the transparency of tax disclosures by requiring (1) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (2) income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction, in addition to certain other amendments intended to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The adoption of ASU 2023-09 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2026, the Company adopted ASU 2025-08, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans. This standard amends the guidance in ASC 326 on the accounting for certain purchased loans. Under this standard, entities must account for acquired loans (excluding credit cards) that meet certain criteria at acquisition (“purchased seasoned loans”) by recognizing them at their purchase price plus an allowance for expected credit losses (often referred to as the gross-up approach). These amendments align the accounting for purchased seasoned loans with the treatment of financial assets purchased with more-than-insignificant credit deterioration since origination (“PCD assets”). Early adoption is permitted, and the standard is to be applied prospectively. The adoption of ASU 2025-08 did not have any material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective

In October 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements – Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative (“ASU 2023-06”). The amendments in this update modify the disclosure or presentation requirements for a variety of topics in the codification. Certain amendments represent clarifications to or technical corrections of the current requirements. The following is a summary of the topics included in the update and which pertain to the Company: 1. Statement of cash flows (Topic 230): Requires an accounting policy disclosure in annual periods of where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and losses are presented in the statement of cash flows; 2. Accounting changes and error corrections (Topic 250): Requires that when there has been a change in the reporting entity, the entity disclose any material prior-period adjustment and the effect of the adjustment on retained earnings in interim financial statements; 3. Earnings per share (Topic 260): Requires disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings-per-share computation for each dilutive security and clarifies that certain disclosures should be made during interim periods, and amends illustrative guidance to illustrate disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings per share computation; 4. Commitments (Topic 440): Requires disclosure of assets mortgaged, pledged, or otherwise subject to lien and the obligations collateralized; and 5. Debt (Topic 470): Requires disclosure of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit and unfunded commitments and the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-06 are effective on the date which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation and S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the related amendment will be removed from the codification and will not become effective for any entity. Early adoption is not permitted and the amendments are required to be applied on a prospective basis. The Company expects the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 which requires disclosure in the notes to the financial statements of specified information about certain costs and expenses. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income– Expense Disaggregation Disclosures– Clarifying the Effective Date, which amends the effective date of ASU 2024-03 to clarify that all public business entities are required to adopt the guidance in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption of ASU 2024-03 is permitted. The Company expects the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2025-03, Business Combinations (Topic 805) and Consolidation (Topic 810): Determining the Accounting Acquirer in the Acquisition of a Variable Interest Entity. In May 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-03, which revises the guidance in ASC 805 on identifying the accounting acquirer in a business combination in which the legal acquiree is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The ASU is intended to improve comparability between business combinations that involve VIEs and those that do not. ASU 2025-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in ASU 2025-03 must be applied prospectively to any business combination that occurs after the initial adoption date. The Company expects the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2025-04, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Clarifications to Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer. In May 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-04 to reduce diversity in practice and improve the usefulness and operability of the guidance for share-based consideration payable to a customer in conjunction with selling goods or services. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 with updates to be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2025-11, Interim Reporting (Topic 270) Narrow-Scope Improvements. In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11 which is intended to improve the guidance in Topic 270, Interim Reporting, by improving the navigability of the required interim disclosures and clarifying when that guidance is applicable. The amendments also provide additional guidance on what disclosures should be provided in interim reporting periods. The amendments add to Topic 270 a principle that requires entities to disclose events since the end of the last annual reporting period that have a material impact on the entity. ASU 2025-11 is not intended to change the fundamental nature of interim reporting or expand or reduce current interim disclosure requirements, rather, the objective of the amendments is to provide clarity on the current interim reporting requirements. The amendments in ASU 2025-11 are effective for interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company expects the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 -INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Debt Securities

Debt securities have been classified as either held-to-maturity or available-for-sale in the consolidated balance sheets according to management’s intent. The amortized cost of held-to-maturity debt securities and their approximate fair values at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 were as follows:

The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities and their approximate fair values at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 were as follows:

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, there were no transfers between held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities.

At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company did not hold securities of any single issuer, such as a corporation, municipality, or foreign entity, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of our shareholders’ equity.

Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities totaled $1.6 million and $1.1 million at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, and is included within accrued interest receivable and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the ACL.

At September 30, 2026, available-for-sale debt securities with an amortized cost of $98.4 million were pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank (“Federal Reserve”) as collateral for secured public deposits and for other purposes as required by law or contract provisions, in addition to held-to-maturity debt securities with an amortized cost of $52.7 million that were pledged as collateral for a secured line of credit with the Federal Reserve. See Note 6 –Borrowing Arrangements for additional information regarding the FHLB and Federal Reserve secured lines of credit. The Company also pledged $14.0 million available-for-sale debt securities to another financial institution to support the collateralization requirement against certain customers’ standby lines of credit.

Contractual Maturities

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of all held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities as of September 30, 2026 by contractual maturities are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Realized Gains and Losses

There wereno gross realized gains and losses for sales and calls of available-for-sale debt securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025.

Unrealized Losses

The gross unrealized losses and related estimated fair values of all available-for-sale debt securities aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 are summarized as follows:

As of September 30, 2026, the Company had a total of 155 available-for-sale debt securities in a gross unrealized loss position totaling $24.3 million, including 59 securities with total gross unrealized losses of $6.7 million that had been in a continual loss position for twelve months and longer. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had a total of 78 available-for-sale debt securities in a gross unrealized loss position totaling $4.8 million, including 63 securities with total gross unrealized losses of $4.4 million that had been in a continual loss position for twelve months and longer. Such unrealized losses on these investment securities have not been recognized into income.

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities are recognized in shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes. At September 30, 2026, the Company had a net unrealized loss on available-for-sale debt securities of $24.3 million, or $17.1 million net of tax in accumulated other comprehensive loss, compared to a net unrealized loss of $2.3 million, or $1.6 million net of tax in accumulated other comprehensive loss, at December 31, 2025.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Debt Securities

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale

For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either criterion is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through earnings. For securities that do not meet these criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, changes in credit ratings, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security or issuer, among other factors. If this assessment indicates a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is compared to the amortized cost basis. An allowance for credit losses is recorded for the shortfall, limited to the amount by which fair value is less than amortized cost. Any decline in fair value not recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

The Company’s available-for-sale debt securities consist of U.S. Treasury, U.S. government and agency and government sponsored enterprise securities, and municipals, which historically have had limited credit loss experience. At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the total fair value of taxable municipal securities was $916 thousand and $938 thousand, respectively, and all of these securities were rated AA or higher. At September 30, 2026, the Company did not intend to sell, and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell, any available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position before recovery of their amortized cost basis. Management determined that the unrealized losses at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 were attributable to changes in market interest rates and general market conditions rather than credit quality.¶

Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity

The Company measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type, considering historical credit loss experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio consists of municipal securities. The Company monitors the credit quality of held-to-maturity debt securities using external credit ratings. At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, fair values of held-to-maturity debt securities rated AA or higher totaled $42.7 million and $46.0 million, respectively, and those rated AA- totaled $3.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively. At September 30, 2026,61 held-to-maturity debt securities with fair values totaling $45.7 million had gross unrecognized losses totaling $7.0 million, compared to 61 held-to-maturity debt securities with fair values totaling $49.3 million with gross unrecognized losses totaling $3.6 million at December 31, 2025. The unrecognized losses were attributable to changes in market interest rates and general market conditions rather than credit quality.

Based on these evaluations, which consider the credit ratings of the portfolio and the absence of historical credit losses, there were no expected credit losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities. Accordingly, no allowance for credit losses was recorded at September 30, 2026 or December 31, 2025, andno provision for credit losses was recorded for held-to-maturity or available-for-sale debt securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025.

Restricted Stock

As a member of the Federal Reserve System, the Company must hold stock of the Federal Reserve in an amount equal to 3% of the Company’s common stock and additional paid-in capital. In addition, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco, the Company is required to own stock of the FHLB based on the Company’s outstanding mortgage assets and outstanding advances from the FHLB.

The table below summarizes the Company’s restricted stock investments at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025:

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, the Company purchased $35 thousand and $44 thousand of Federal Reserve stock, and there wereno purchases of FHLB stock. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company purchased $41 thousand and $70 thousand, respectively, of Federal Reserve stock, and there wereno purchases of FHLB stock.

Other Equity Securities Without a Readily Determinable Fair Value

The Company also has equity securities in the form of capital stock invested intwo different banker’s bank stocks which totaled $819 thousand at both September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025. These equity securities are reported in accrued interest receivable and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company evaluated the carrying value of these equity securities and determined that they were not impaired. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, there wereno losses related to changes in the fair value of these equity securities.

The Company has other equity investments and investments in a technology venture capital fund focused on the intersection of fintech and community banking. These equity investments represent variable interest entities (“VIEs”), however the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss related to its investments in these unconsolidated VIEs is limited to the carrying value of each of the investments plus any unfunded capital commitments. At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the balance of these investments, which is included in accrued interest receivable and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, was $8.7 million and $9.1 million, respectively. Total unfunded capital commitments for these investments were $6.2 million at September 30, 2026. These equity securities are measured using the equity method of accounting when the Company’s ownership interest in such investments exceeds 5%, or carried at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Cash distributions that are considered a return of capital are recorded as a reduction of the Company’s investment. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, the Company made capital contributions of $459 thousand and received net capital distributions of $333 thousand, respectively, related to these equity investments and recognized losses of $30 thousand and $100 thousand, respectively, which is included in other charges and fees in the consolidated statements of income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company received $427 thousand and $97 thousand, respectively, of net capital distributions from these equity investments. At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company evaluated the carrying value of these equity investments and determined they were not impaired. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, there wereno losses recognized related to changes in fair value.

The Company has also invested in and acquired interest in limited partnerships that operate affordable housing projects that qualify for and have received an allocation of federal and/or state low-income housing tax credits. These investments represent VIEs, however the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss related to its investments in these unconsolidated VIEs is limited to the carrying amount of the investment and previously recorded tax credits which remain subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance features required to be met at the project level. At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the net amortized balance of these investments was $4.1 million and $4.8 million, respectively, and is included in accrued interest and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The unfunded portion of these investments totaled $295 thousand and $382 thousand at September 30, 2026 and December 31,

2025, respectively, and is included in accrued interest payable and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

The following table presents activity in qualifying low income housing projects for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 follows:

At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company evaluated the carrying value of these tax credit equity investments and determined they were not impaired. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, there wereno losses recognized related to changes in fair value.

NOTE 3 -LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Loans Held for Investment (“LHFI”)

The Company’s loan portfolio consists primarily of loans to borrowers within the California market. Although the Company seeks to avoid concentrations of loans to a single industry or based upon a single class of collateral, real estate and real estate associated businesses are among the principal industries in the Company’s market area. The Company’s loan portfolio in real estate secured credit represented 80% and 80% of total loans at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. A portion of the Company’s revenues are from origination of loans guaranteed by the SBA under its various programs and sale of the guaranteed portions of the loans. Funding for these loans depends on annual appropriations by the U.S. Congress.

The composition of the Company’s LHFI portfolio at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 was as follows:

(1)LHFI includes net unearned fees of $2.2 million and $2.8 million and net unearned discounts on acquired loans of $18.5 million and $31.3 million at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. The Company recognized $3.9 million and $5.2 million of interest accretion of net deferred loan fees and net discounts on acquired loans for the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The Company recognized $11.8 million and $16.9 million of interest accretion of net deferred loan fees and net discounts on acquired loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

The Company has pledged $2.33 billion of loans with the FHLB under a blanket lien, of which an unpaid principal balance of $1.48 billion was considered as eligible collateral under this secured borrowing arrangement and loans with an unpaid principal balance totaling $318.4 million were pledged as collateral under a secured borrowing arrangement with the Federal Reserve as of September 30, 2026. See Note 6 –Borrowing Arrangements for additional information regarding the FHLB and Federal Reserve secured lines of credit.

Loans Held for Sale

At September 30, 2026, the Company had loans held for sale totaling $15.4 million, consisting of consumer solar loans. At December 31, 2025, loans held for sale totaled $25.1 million, consisting of $7.8 million of SBA 7(a) loans and $17.3 million of consumer solar loans transferred from loans held for investment. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, the Company transferred zero and $7.4 million of SBA 7(a) loans from held for sale to held for investment at net amortized cost.

The Company accounts for loans held for sale at the lower of carrying value or fair value. At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the fair value of loans held for sale totaled $15.4 million and $25.6 million, respectively. The Company recorded zero and $266 thousand in valuation allowance related to its consumer solar loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026. There wereno comparable valuation allowances for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025.

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans using risk ratings based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as current financial information, historical payment experience, collateral adequacy, credit documentation, and current economic trends, among other factors. Larger, non-homogeneous loans such as CRE and C&I loans are analyzed individually for risk rating assessment. For purposes of risk classification, 1-4 Family Residential loans for investment purposes are evaluated with CRE loans. This analysis is performed on an ongoing basis as new information is obtained. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Pass - Loans classified as pass include loans not meeting the risk ratings defined below.

Special Mention- Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard- Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful - Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loss - Loans classified as loss are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather that it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be affected in the future.

The risk category of LHFI by class of loans and origination year as of September 30, 2026 follows:

The risk category of LHFI by class of loans and origination year as of December 31, 2025 follows:

LHFI Past Due and Nonaccrual Loans

A summary of LHFI past due as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 follows:

The Company hadno LHFI that were 90 days or more past due and were still accruing interest at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025.

LHFI Nonaccrual Loans

A summary of total LHFI nonaccrual loans and the amount of LHFI nonaccrual loans with no related ACL as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 follows:

Individually Evaluated Loans

The Company evaluates loans collectively for purposes of determining the ACL in accordance with ASC 326. Loans are grouped based on shared risk characteristics, such as loan type, credit rating, collateral type, and borrower industry. In certain cases, the Company may identify loans that no longer exhibit similar risk characteristics to others in the portfolio. These loans are typically assigned a substandard or worse internal risk grade, as their credit profiles become more unique with deterioration. Such loans are often nonperforming, may be modified for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, and/or are considered collateral-dependent—where repayment is expected to come from the operation or sale of the underlying collateral. Loans deemed by management to lack shared risk characteristics are evaluated individually for ACL purposes. For individually evaluated loans, the Company generally applies a discounted cash flow method using the loan’s effective interest rate. If a loan is deemed collateral-dependent, the ACL is determined based on the estimated fair value of the collateral, net of estimated costs to sell. Adjustments to the ACL for collateral-dependent loans reflect changes in the expected fair value of the collateral. For all other individually evaluated loans with amortized balances below $200 thousand, the ACL is primarily determined using the loan pricing approach, which applies a 30% factor to the loan’s unguaranteed book balance to reflect expected credit risk and recovery assumptions.

As of September 30, 2026, $24.2 million of loans were individually evaluated with a $373 thousand ACL attributed to such loans. At September 30, 2026, $23.9 million of individually evaluated loans were evaluated based on the underlying value of the collateral, and $308 thousand were evaluated using a discounted cash flow approach. One C&I loan with a net amortized balance of $15.6 million was classified as an individually evaluated loan due in part to ongoing third-party litigation against the guarantor. The loan was on accrual status and current on its payment obligation as of September 30, 2026. All other individually evaluated loans were on nonaccrual status at September 30, 2026.

As of December 31, 2025, $30.4 million of loans were individually evaluated with $373 thousand ACL attributed to such loans. At December 31, 2025, $29.8 million of the individually evaluated loans were evaluated based on the underlying value of the collateral, and $553 thousand were evaluated using a discounted cash flow approach. One C&I loan with net amortized balance of $16.1 million was moved to individually evaluated loans due in part, to ongoing third-party litigation against the guarantor. The loan was on accrual status and current on its payment obligation as of December 31, 2025. All other individually evaluated loans were on nonaccrual status at December 31, 2025.

Modified Loans to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

During the three months ended September 30, 2026, there were no loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were modified. The following table presents the period-end amortized cost basis of modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2025.

The following tables present the financial effect of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2025.

The following tables present a payment aging analysis of the period-end amortized cost of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were modified during the twelve month period ended September 30, 2026 and 2025.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, there wereno defaults of loans that had been modified within the last 12 months.

Collateral Dependent Loans

Collateral dependent loans are loans for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Estimates for costs to sell are included in the determination of the ACL when liquidation of the collateral is anticipated. In cases where the loan is well secured and the estimated value of the collateral exceeds the amortized cost of the loan, no ACL is recorded.

A summary of collateral dependent loans by collateral type as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 follows:

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans

The ACL consists of: (i) a specific allowance established for CECL on loans individually evaluated, (ii) a quantitative allowance for current expected loan losses based on the portfolio and expected economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable forecast period that reverts back to long-term trends to cover the expected life of the loan, (iii) a qualitative allowance including management judgment to capture factors and trends that are not adequately reflected in the quantitative allowance, and (iv) the ACL for off-balance sheet credit exposure for unfunded loan commitments.

The Company used the probability-weighted two-scenario forecasts, representing a baseline scenario and one downside scenario, to estimate the ACL. The Company utilized economic forecasts released by Moody’s Analytics during the third week of September 2026. Other sources of economic forecasts and meeting minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) meeting were also considered by the Company when determining the scenario weighting. Moody’s September 2026 U.S. baseline forecast presented a modestly stronger growth outlook and faster disinflation than the June 2026 baseline forecast and it did not represent broad economic acceleration: consumer momentum was weaker, monetary policy remained restrictive, the unemployment rate peak was later and slightly higher, and the tariff and energy assumptions remained material downside risks. The September 2026 forecast improved the near-term national outlook while retaining meaningful interest rate, trade and geopolitical pressures relevant to the Company’s credit environment. The projection of real GDP increased to 2.2% for 2026 and 2.0% for 2027, compared to 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027 projected in the June 2026 forecast. CPI was adjusted downward to 3.2% in 2026 and 2.5% in 2027, compared to 3.4% for 2026 and 3.0% for 2027 projected in the June 2026 forecast. The Conference Board forecasted GDP growth to weaken further in 2026 at 1.8% and by 1.9% in 2027 due to tighter financial conditions for the consumer as a result of higher interest rates. It is more pessimistic than Moody’s baseline scenario of 2026 GDP of 2.2%. Moody’s economic forecast anticipated no rate cuts in 2026, with the potential for further tightening if inflation persists. This change is driven by a stabilization in the labor market and a reassessment of inflation as more durable and structural rather than transitory. The 10-year Treasury yield was forecasted to remain around 4.4% through the decade, supported by persistent inflationary pressures and a deteriorating fiscal environment. The unemployment rate forecast improved to 4.3% in 2026, compared to 4.4% in 2026 projected in the June 2026 forecast. Slow job growth was already expected to continue in 2026. Despite this, the unemployment rate is still projected to peak at 4.7% in the second quarter of 2027.

Moody’s September 2026 S2 downside scenario was largely consistent with the June 2026 forecast, reflecting a later-onset mild recession driven primarily by tariffs and rising inflation, compared with the more front-loaded oil supply shock contemplated in the March 2026 forecast. The downside is increasingly driven by structural pressures, e.g. inflation, tariffs, geopolitics, rather than a temporary shock. The most immediate change is the timing of the recession’s onset, which was pushed from the third quarter of 2026 to the fourth quarter of 2026. Alongside this shift, the peak unemployment rate was lowered to 7.2% from 7.3% in the June 2026 forecast, now expected to occur in the third quarter of 2027 rather than the second quarter of 2027. The scenario is not less severe, but more prolonged and structurally adverse. The projected real GDP growth was revised to 2.0% in 2026 from 1.5% in the June 2026 forecast, and -0.1% in 2027, compared with 2.2% and 2.0%, respectively, in Moody’s September 2026 baseline.

Moody’s September 2026 economic forecasts for California suggested California gross state product (“GSP”) will grow by 2.03% on average for the next four quarters, up from 1.88% in its June 2026 baseline forecast. The forecasts for 2026 California unemployment stayed at 5.3%. Beacon Economics forecasted the California unemployment rate revised downward to 5.2% for the fourth quarter of 2026 and stayed at 5.2% for the first and second quarter of 2027.

Other key California economic forecasts used in the ACL calculation including the California unemployment rate, California GSP, construction sector GSP, California Home Price Index (“HPI”), and the 5-Year Treasury yield showed mixed movements across the baseline and downside scenarios. As a result, the changes in these economic variables are expected to have a mixed impact on the Company's ACL. Relative to the June 2026 forecast, most California economic indicators reflected a mixed outlook. California unemployment rate in the September 2026 outlook is modestly more optimistic in S2 scenarios, California GSP was revised substantially higher in the near term, however California GSP – construction was revised substantially lower throughout the forecast period. California HPI was revised lower in the near term to reflect the latest market trend, and 5-year treasury-yield is revised modestly higher in both scenarios. In summary, the stronger California GSP and California unemployment rate were a meaningful favorable revision, but it was offset by weaker construction activity, lower near-term HPI, and higher Treasury yields. Overall, the September 2026 loss-driver updates reflected a mix of favorable and unfavorable economic changes, rather than a broad-based improvement in the economic outlook.

Based on the above reviews and analyses, the Company continues using the two probability-weighted scenario forecasts, and assigned 70% to the baseline scenario and 30% to the S2 downside scenario at September 30, 2026, shifting from 80% baseline scenario and 20% from the S2 downside scenario at June 30, 2026. The recommended weightings are based on the FOMC’s decision to raise the federal funds rate by 25 basis points in the September 2026 meeting, with another rate hike becoming increasingly likely before year-end. Moody’s September 2026 baseline forecast assumed the Fed funds rate would remain within a range of 3.5% to 3.75%, with no rate cuts or hikes until the end of the decade and projected the 10-year Treasury yield to average 4.6% in Q3, then remain within a range of 4.4% to 4.5% through the decade. In comparison, the actual 10-year Treasury yield was 5.29% at September 30, 2026, indicating that interest rates have remained meaningfully above baseline expectations. In addition, Moody’s expectation that inflation will continue to moderate toward target levels by mid-2027 appears increasingly optimistic and remains subject to risks associated with elevated energy prices and other inflationary pressures.

The Company concluded that Moody’s baseline remains a reasonable central forecast for economic growth and employment, but its reliability has diminished due to its limited incorporation of the September 2026 rate increase and its relatively optimistic assumptions regarding inflation and long-term interest rate path. The Company continues to believe it is prudent to maintain a meaningful weighting to the S2 downside scenario, which reflects the potential for a more persistent inflationary environment and higher interest rates. Given the inherent uncertainty surrounding inflation and the challenges associated with forecasting its trajectory, incorporating the S2 downside scenario provides an appropriate degree of conservatism and serves as a hedge against adverse economic outcomes in the ACL estimate.

For prepayment and curtailment rates, the Company used its own historical quarterly prepayment and curtailment experience covering the period starting February 2021 through August 2026 to estimate the ACL. During the third quarter of 2026, the Company updated its historical prepayment and curtailment rates analysis, which reflected a slight increase in prepayment rates and curtailment rates.

Accrued interest receivable on loans totaled $10.0 million and $9.8 million at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, and is included within accrued interest receivable and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the ACL.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Unfunded Loan Commitments

The allowance for credit losses on unfunded credit commitments is maintained at a level that management believes to be sufficient to absorb estimated expected credit losses related to unfunded credit facilities. The Company evaluates the loss exposure for unfunded loan commitments to extend credit following the same principles used for the ACL, with consideration for experienced utilization rates on client credit lines and the inherently lower risk of unfunded loan commitments relative to disbursed commitments. There was a $16 thousand and $352 thousand reversal of credit losses for unfunded loan commitments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, respectively. There was a $236 thousand and $825 thousand reversal of credit losses for unfunded loan commitments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively. The reversal of credit losses for unfunded loan commitments is included in provision for (reversal of) credit losses in the consolidated statements of operations. The reserve for unfunded loan commitments was $1.8 million and $2.1 million at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025. The reserve for unfunded loan commitments is included in accrued interest payable and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

A summary of the changes in the ACL for loans and unfunded commitments for the periods indicated follows:

A summary of changes in the ALL by loan portfolio segment for the periods indicated follows:

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”), Net

Real estate acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is recorded at fair value less costs to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis by a charge to the ACL, if necessary. The Company had $8.6 million of foreclosed assets at September 30, 2026. There wereno foreclosed assets at December 31, 2025. During the nine months ended September 30, 2026, the Company foreclosed on the collateral related to a construction nonaccrual loan of $8.6 million, that was transferred to OREO at its estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company didnot foreclose on any collateral. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, the Company didnot sell any OREO. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company sold zero and $4.1 million of OREO and recognized a loss on sale ofzero and$862 thousand.

There wasno valuation allowances due to declines in the fair value of the underlying property during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025.

NOTE 4 -GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill, the excess purchase price over the fair value of all identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, totaled $110.9 million at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. On an ongoing basis, we qualitatively assess whether current events or circumstances warrant the need for an interim quantitative assessment of goodwill impairment. We also monitor fluctuations in our stock price.

The Company performed a qualitative assessment for the annual impairment review at December 31, 2025, and as a result of that assessment had determined that there wasno impairment to goodwill. There were no triggering events during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 that caused management to evaluate goodwill for a quantitative impairment analysis as of September 30, 2026.

The following table presents changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025:

(1)During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the goodwill adjustments were related to a true-up of the low-income housing tax credit investments acquired from the merger with the predecessor California BanCorp, offset by its state net operating losses that cannot be utilized post-merger and aforementioned recoveries on acquired PCD loans previously charged-off prior to the merger with the predecessor California BanCorp.

Core deposit intangibles are amortized over remaining periods of 2.3 to 7.8 years. There was no remaining unamortized trade name at September 30, 2026. As of September 30, 2026, the weighted-average remaining amortization period for intangible assets was approximately 7.7 years.

The Company performs the annual impairment analysis for the intangible assets at least annually during the second half of each fiscal year. The Company evaluated current conditions and concluded there had been no material changes in the economic environment or future projections since the annual intangible assets impairment test performed during the fourth quarter 2025 and therefore, believes that there was no impairment as of September 30, 2026. Management will continue to evaluate the economic conditions at future reporting periods for applicable changes. The following table presents the changes in intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025.

Future estimated amortization expense is as follows:

NOTE 5 -DEPOSITS

The Company is a participant in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and IntraFi Network Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”). The Company receives an equal dollar amount of deposits (“reciprocal deposits”) from other participating banks in exchange for the deposits we place into the networks to fully qualify large customer deposits for FDIC insurance. Effective July 11, 2026, Section 902 of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act amended the reciprocal deposit exception under Section 29 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, replacing the prior general cap of the lesser of $5 billion or 20% of total liabilities with a tiered liability-based calculation equal to 50% of the first $1 billion of total liabilities, 40% of the next $9 billion, and 30% of liabilities above $10 billion, subject to a maximum cap of $30 billion. These reciprocal deposits are not required to be treated as brokered deposits up to the applicable cap under the amended Section 902 of the Housing Act.

As of September 30, 2026, reciprocal deposits decreased to $740.3 million, representing 21.3% of total deposits, compared to $743.6 million, or 22.1% of total deposits at December 31, 2025.

Time deposits that exceeded the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 amounted to $53.7 million and $65.1 million as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. There wereno brokered time deposits as of September 30, 2026 and $3.8 million brokered time deposits as of December 31, 2025.

The Company participates in a state public deposits program that allows it to receive deposits from the state or from political subdivisions within the state in amounts that would not be covered by the FDIC. This program provides a stable source of funding to the Company. As of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, total collateralized deposits, including the deposits of State of California and their public agencies, were $44.3 million and $45.8 million, respectively, and were collateralized by letters of credit issued by the FHLB under the Company’s secured line of credit with the FHLB. See Note 6 –Borrowing Arrangements for additional information regarding the FHLB secured line of credit.

At September 30, 2026, the scheduled maturities of time deposits were as follows:

NOTE 6 -BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS

A summary of outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 follows:

Federal Home Loan Bank Secured Line of Credit

At September 30, 2026, the Company had a secured line of credit of $817.5 million from the FHLB, of which $752.5 million was available. This secured borrowing arrangement is collateralized under a blanket lien on qualifying real estate loans and is subject to the Company providing adequate collateral and continued compliance with the Advances and Security Agreement and other eligibility requirements established by the FHLB. At

September 30, 2026, the Company had pledged $2.33 billion of qualifying loans with the FHLB under a blanket lien, of which an unpaid principal balance of $1.48 billion was considered as eligible collateral under this secured borrowing arrangement. In addition, at September 30, 2026, the Company used $65.0 million of its secured FHLB borrowing capacity by having the FHLB issue letters of credit to meet collateral requirements for deposits from the State of California and other public agencies.

There wereno borrowings at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025.

Federal Reserve Bank Secured Line of Credit

At September 30, 2026, the Company had credit availability of $317.5 million at the Federal Reserve discount window to the extent of collateral pledged. At September 30, 2026, the Company had pledged held-to-maturity debt securities with an amortized cost of $52.7 million as collateral, and qualifying loans with an unpaid principal balance of $318.4 million as collateral through the Borrower-in-Custody (“BIC”) program. The Company also pledged available-for-sale debt securities with an amortized cost of $98.4 million as collateral for secured public deposits and for other purposes as required by law or contract provisions. The Company hadno discount window borrowings at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025.

Federal Funds Unsecured Lines of Credit

At September 30, 2026, the Company hadfour overnight unsecured credit lines from correspondent banks totaling $90.5 million. The lines are subject to annual review. There wereno outstanding borrowings under these lines at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025.

Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Debt

In connection with the merger with the predecessor California BanCorp, the Company assumed $35 million in subordinated debt, with a fixed interest rate of 3.50% and a stated maturity of September 1, 2031. Beginning September 1, 2026, the interest rate was scheduled to change to a quarterly variable rate equal to the then current 90-day SOFR plus 2.86%, until maturity, unless redeemed early, at the Company’s option, after the end of the fixed-rate period. During the third quarter of 2026, the Company redeemed all $35 million of this subordinated debt, at par value.

The subordinated debt was initially recognized with a fair value discount of $3.4 million. At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the net unamortized fair value discount waszero and $1.2 million, respectively. The net unamortized fair value discount was netted against the balance and recorded in borrowings in the consolidated balance sheets. The amortization of the fair value discount was recorded in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

NOTE 7 -SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

On June 14, 2023, the Company announced an authorized common stock share repurchase plan, providing for the repurchase of up to 550,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock, or approximately 3% of its then outstanding common stock shares. On May 1, 2025, the Company announced an increase in the number of common stock shares authorized for repurchase to up to 1,600,000 shares. On November 5, 2026, the Company announced an increase in the number of shares authorized for repurchase to up to 3,200,000 shares (refer to Note 13 - Subsequent Events for additional information). Repurchases under the program may occur from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions, or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws and other restrictions. The Company intends to fund its repurchases from available working capital and cash provided by operating activities. The timing of repurchases, as well as the number of common stock shares repurchased, will depend on a variety of factors, including price; trading volume; business, economic and general market conditions; and the terms of any Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted by the Company. The repurchase program has no expiration date and may be suspended, modified, or terminated at any time without prior notice.

There were 209,348 and 721,857 common stock shares repurchased at a weighted average market price of $21.81 and $19.36 and a total cost of $4.6 million and $14.0 million under this common stock share repurchase plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, respectively. There were 89,500 shares of common stock repurchased at a weighted average market price of $15.22 and a total cost of $1.4 million under this share repurchase plan during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025. The remaining maximum number of common stock shares authorized to be repurchased under this program was 666,215 shares at September 30, 2026.

NOTE 8 -EARNINGS PER SHARE (“EPS”)

The following is a reconciliation of net income and shares outstanding used to compute EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025:

For the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, there were 391 and 64 restricted stock units, which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, because they were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, there were 992 and 95,769 restricted stock units, which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, because they were anti-dilutive.

NOTE 9 -RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has made loans to certain directors, their related interests with which they are associated, and beneficial owners with more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting securities. The balance of these loans outstanding and activity in related party loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 follows:

Directors and related interests deposits at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, amounted to approximately $26.6 million and $37.5 million, respectively.

The Company leases its Ramona branch office from a beneficial owner who holds more than 5% of the Company’s voting securities and is a former member of the Company’s Board of Directors under an operating lease expiring in 2027 on terms considered to be prevailing in the market at the time of the lease. Total lease expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 were $12 thousand and $34 thousand, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under the lease were $28 thousand and $62 thousand as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

In April 2022, the holding company entered into an investment commitment of $2.0 million with the Castle Creek Launchpad Fund I (“Launchpad”). A director of the Company is a member of the Investment Committee for Launchpad. At September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, total capital contributions made to this investment were $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

NOTE 10 -COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into financial commitments to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial commitments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk not recognized in the Company’s financial statements.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a client as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each client’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. Collateral may or may not be required based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. The majority of the Company’s commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are secured by real estate.

The Company’s exposure to loan loss in the event of nonperformance on commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for loans reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company had the following outstanding financial commitments whose contractual amount represents potential credit risk at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025:

The Company entered into Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) agreements to provide a 10-year benefit to certain key officers upon their retirement. Under these agreements, the annual benefits range from $20 thousand to $75 thousand. The estimated present value of future benefits to be paid is being accrued over the period from the effective date of the agreements until the expected retirement dates of the participants. The expense incurred for these agreements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 was $180 thousand and $533 thousand, respectively. The expense incurred for these agreements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $247 thousand and $741 thousand, respectively. The Company is a beneficiary of life insurance policies that have been purchased as a method of financing the obligated benefits under these agreements.

In the normal course of business, the Company is named or threatened to be named as a defendant in various legal actions. The ultimate outcome with respect to these legal matters and claims cannot be determined at this time and the Company believes that liability, if any, is not likely to be material to the consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of operations.

NOTE 11 -STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN

On May 27, 2026, at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, shareholders approved the California BanCorp 2026 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2026 Plan”), which authorizes the issuances of up to 1,600,000 shares of common stock. Effective May 27, 2026, no additional awards were granted under the California BanCorp 2019 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, formerly known as Southern California Bancorp 2019 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). All awards outstanding under the 2019 Plan as of that date will remain in effect and continue to be governed by the terms, conditions and procedures set forth in the 2019 Plan and any applicable award agreements.

At September 30, 2026, the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2026 Plan was 1,600,000.

The 2026 Plan provides for the granting to eligible participants of such incentive awards as determined by the Board of Directors or a committee established by the Board, in its sole discretion, to administer the Plan. The Board has the power to determine the terms of the awards, including the exercise price, the number of shares subject to each award, the vesting and exercisability of the awards and the form of consideration payable upon exercise. Stock options expire no later thanten years from the date of the grant. The 2026 Plan provides for accelerated vesting if there is a change of control, as defined in the Plan. Restricted stock units generally vest over a period ofone tofive years.

Future levels of compensation cost recognized related to stock-based compensation awards may be impacted by new awards and/or modifications, repurchases and cancellations of existing awards. Under the terms of the 2026 Plan, vested options generally expire ninety days after the director or employee terminates their service affiliation with the Company.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, total stock-based compensation cost related to stock options and restricted stock units was $1.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, total stock-based compensation cost related to stock options and restricted stock units was $1.5 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

Stock Options

As of September 30, 2026, there were $2 thousand of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the outstanding stock options.

There were 7,500 stock options exercised with an intrinsic value of $62 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2026, and 3,500 stock options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2025 with an intrinsic value of $27 thousand. Related tax benefits were $6 thousand for nonqualified stock option exercised for the three months ended September 30, 2026. Related tax benefits for the disqualifying disposition of ISO exercised were $8 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2025.

There were 48,250 and 18,013 stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised was approximately $486 thousand and $146 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. There were $21 thousand for nonqualified stock options exercised and disqualifying disposition of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) exercised and $19 thousand related tax benefit for the disqualifying disposition of ISOs exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. There wereno options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025.

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 are presented below:

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the changes in outstanding unvested restricted stock units during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 is presented below:

As of September 30, 2026, the Company didnot have any outstanding unvested restricted stock units subject to various financial performance conditions.

As of September 30, 2026, there was $9.4 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the outstanding restricted stock units that will be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.3 years. The total unrecognized compensation expense included $541 thousand related to the fair value of outstanding restricted stock units that were assumed in the merger with the predecessor California BanCorp, which will be recognized over the weighted-average vesting period of 2.1 years. The total grant date fair value of restricted stock units vested was $1.1 million and $4.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, respectively, and $1.4 million and $5.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively. Related tax expenses were approximately $102 thousand and $317 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, respectively, and approximately $6 thousand and $1 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively.

NOTE 12 -FAIR VALUE

The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the asset or obligation could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market value exists for a significant portion of the financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors.

These estimates are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

Fair value of financial instruments

Fair value estimates are based on financial instruments both on and off the balance sheet without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business, and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Additionally, tax consequences related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a potential effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in many of the estimates. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of significant financial instruments:

Cash and Due from Banks: The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values because of the liquidity of these instruments.

Federal Funds Sold and Interest-Bearing Balances: The carrying amount is assumed to be the fair value given the short-term nature of these deposits.

Debt Securities Held to Maturity and Available for Sale: The fair values of securities held to maturity and available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.

Loans Held for Sale: The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based on commitments outstanding from investors as well as what secondary market investors are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics.

Loans Held for Investment, net: The fair value of loans, which is based on an exit price notion, is generally determined using an income based approach based on discounted cash flow analysis. This approach utilizes the contractual maturity of the loans and market indications of interest rates, prepayment speeds, defaults and credit risk in determining fair value. The fair value for PCD loans incorporated market-based loss rates used to estimate the expected life of loan credit losses. The noncredit discount resulting from the acquired PCD loans was allocated to each individual asset. If an individually evaluated loan has had a charge-off or if the fair value of the collateral is less than the recorded investment in the loan, we establish a specific reserve and report the loan as nonrecurring Level 3. Loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans. For the fair value of collateral-dependent individually evaluated loans, an asset-based approach is applied to determine the estimated fair values of the underlying collateral based on recent real estate appraisals, less costs to sell. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. New appraisals are conducted in certain circumstances, including when there has been significant deterioration in the condition of the collateral, if the foreclosure process has begun, or if the existing valuation is deemed to be outdated. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Restricted Stock Investments: Investments in FHLB and Federal Reserve stocks are recorded at cost and measured for impairment. Ownership of FHLB and Federal Reserve stocks are restricted to member banks and the securities do not have a readily determinable market value. Purchases and sales of these securities are at par value with the issuer. The fair value of investments in FHLB and Federal Reserve stock is equal to the carrying amount.

Other Equity Securities: The fair value of equity securities is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets to determine the fair value. If quoted prices are not available to determine fair value, the Company estimates the fair values by using independent pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows.

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”): Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as OREO are initially recorded at the fair value, less costs to sell at the date of transfer. This amount becomes the property’s new basis. The fair value of OREO is generally based on recent real estate appraisals or broker opinions, obtained from independent third parties, which are frequently adjusted by management to reflect current conditions and estimated selling costs.

Accrued Interest Receivable: The fair value of accrued interest receivable approximates their carrying amounts.

Deposits: The fair values disclosed for demand deposits, including interest and non-interest demand accounts, savings, and certain types of money market accounts are by definition based on carrying value. Fair value for fixed-rate certificates of deposit is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregate expected monthly maturities on time deposits. Early withdrawal of fixed-rate certificates of deposit is not expected to be significant.

Borrowings: The fair values of the Company’s overnight borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank approximates their carrying value as the advances were recently borrowed at market rate. The fair value of fixed-rated term borrowings is estimated using a discounted cash flow through the remaining maturity dates based on the current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair values of subordinated debt were based on rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Accrued Interest Payable: The fair value of accrued interest payable approximates their carrying amounts.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments: The fair value of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements. The fair value of these financial instruments is not material.

The estimated fair value hierarchy level and estimated fair value of financial instruments at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, is summarized as follows:

(1) Other equity securities are reported in accrued interest receivable and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Recurring fair value measurements

The following table provides the hierarchy and fair value for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the periods indicated:

Nonrecurring fair value measurements

The Company may also be required, from time to time, to measure certain other assets and liabilities on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Collateral-dependent loans. For the valuation of the collateral-dependent loans, the Company relies primarily on third-party valuation information from certified appraisers and values are generally based upon recent appraisals of the underlying collateral, brokers’ opinions based upon recent sales of comparable properties, estimated equipment auction or liquidation values, income capitalization, or a combination of income capitalization and comparable sales. Depending on the type of underlying collateral, valuations may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic factors and estimated liquidation expenses. The range of these possible adjustments may vary. At September 30, 2026, the Company’s individual evaluated collateral-dependent loans were evaluated based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral from the Company’s internal reviews, including reviews of the most recent appraisals and the current sale market condition. There were $46 thousand partial charge-offs on certain individually evaluated loans based on recent real estate or property appraisals andno related reserves were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026.

Other real estate owned, net (“OREO”). Subsequent to foreclosure, it may be necessary to record nonrecurring fair value adjustments for declines in fair value of OREO. Fair value, when recorded, is determined based on appraisals by qualified licensed appraisers and adjusted for management’s estimates of costs to sell. Accordingly, values for OREO are classified as Level 3.

The following tables summarize the fair value of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025. There was OREO of $8.6 million as of September 30, 2026. OREO is presented net of an allowance, and there wereno allowances as of September 30, 2026. At December 31, 2025, there wasno OREO. Only individually evaluated collateral-dependent loans with a related ACL or a partial charge off are included in the following tables for purposes of fair value disclosures.

(1) Collateral-dependent loans whose fair value is based upon appraisals.

Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements measured on a non-recurring basis are summarized below as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025.

NOTE 13 -SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On November 5, 2026, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of shares of common stock by an additional 1,600,000 shares that may be repurchased pursuant to the Company’s stock repurchase program. As a result of this authorization, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 3,200,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to the share repurchase program, up from the prior authorization of 1,600,000 shares.